The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
To write simply is as difficult as to be good.
Interpretation
Writing simply is a challenging task that requires skill and practice.
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham highlights the idea that simplicity in writing is not an easy achievement; it demands a high level of artistry and talent. Crafting clear and straightforward prose is often more challenging than it appears, akin to the struggle of becoming truly good at any craft. The quote suggests that achieving clarity and elegance in writing is a mark of true expertise.
In practice
A writer discussing the challenges of their profession at a literary event.
The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
Cronshaw stopped for a moment to drink. He had pondered for twenty years the problem whether he loved liquor because it made him talk or whether he loved conversation because it made him thirsty.
Are you sure you can prevent yourself from falling in love one of these days? Such things do happen, you know, even to the most prudent men.' Simon gave him a strange, one might even have thought a hostile, look. I should tear it out of my heart as I'd wrench out of my mouth a rotten tooth.
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.
It wasn't about mechanics; it was about a feeling, wanting to give someone something, which in turn was really gratifying. That really resonated for me.
When writing loses touch with the beautiful surface of the world, it loses its way. You always want to be in touch with how things look and what people say and what they call their dogs.
In film, we sculpt time, we sculpt behaviour and we sculpt light.
The painting is finished when the idea has disappeared.
I have always included minority characters in my stories, often as heroes.
What I mean is sometimes, for an artist, chronic pain can be a gift.
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